Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus of a network router, the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory and configured to: decode an indication of an upcoming handover of a user equipment (UE) from a first end point (EP) to a second EP, the indication originating at the first EP and including a UE identifier, an identifier of the first EP that is handing off the UE to the second EP, and an identifier of the second EP that is receiving the upcoming handover; update a relocation table stored in the memory, based on the indication of the upcoming handover, wherein the relocation table is configured to include the UE identifier, the identifier of the first EP that is handing off the UE, and the identifier of the second EP that is receiving the upcoming handover; configure transceiver circuitry to receive a data packet for the UE, wherein the data packet is configured for transmission to the first EP and includes the UE identifier; modify the received data packet, based on the relocation table, for rerouting to the second EP; and configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to the second EP.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: decode handover prediction information including an indication of a predicted future geographic location of the UE; and update the relocation table based on the handover prediction information.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is arranged to configure the transceiver circuitry to receive the handover prediction information from a network entity or the UE, wherein the network entity is one of a link quality prediction (LQP) server or a radio access network (RAN) node.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving handover decisions in cellular networks to reduce latency and packet loss. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of traditional handover mechanisms, which rely on real-time measurements and may lead to delays or suboptimal decisions. The solution involves an apparatus with processing circuitry and transceiver circuitry that receives handover prediction information from either a network entity or a user equipment (UE). The network entity can be a link quality prediction (LQP) server or a radio access network (RAN) node. The processing circuitry uses this predictive data to configure the transceiver circuitry, enabling proactive handover decisions based on anticipated link quality changes rather than reactive measurements. This approach allows the network to prepare for handovers in advance, minimizing disruptions and improving user experience. The apparatus may also include additional components like a memory for storing configuration data or a display for user interaction. The invention enhances network efficiency by leveraging predictive analytics to optimize handover timing and reduce the likelihood of dropped connections.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the handover prediction information further includes one or more indications of a bandwidth parameter, a latency parameter, a transmission power parameter, or a bit-error-rate parameter, associated with the UE.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to discard at least one of the UE identifier, the identifier of the first EP, or the identifier of the second EP from the relocation table after a threshold period.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing user equipment (UE) relocation in a network with edge processing (EP) nodes. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of UE identifiers and EP node identifiers in relocation tables, which can lead to outdated or unnecessary data consumption. The apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to maintain a relocation table that stores identifiers for UEs and EP nodes involved in relocation processes. The circuitry is further configured to discard at least one of the UE identifier, the identifier of the first EP node, or the identifier of the second EP node from the relocation table after a threshold period. This ensures that the table does not retain obsolete or irrelevant data, optimizing storage and processing efficiency. The threshold period can be predefined or dynamically adjusted based on network conditions or usage patterns. The apparatus may also include a network interface for communicating with UEs and EP nodes, and a memory for storing the relocation table and other relevant data. The invention improves network performance by reducing unnecessary data retention and ensuring timely updates to the relocation table.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the threshold period is an expiration time, wherein the handover prediction information includes an indication of the expiration time, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to overwrite at least one of the UE identifier, the identifier of the first EP, or the identifier of the second EP after the expiration time elapses.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to improving handover management between network nodes. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and secure handling of user equipment (UE) handover data, particularly ensuring that outdated or irrelevant handover prediction information is removed to prevent errors or security risks. The apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to manage handover prediction information for a user equipment (UE) transitioning between a first endpoint (EP) and a second endpoint. The handover prediction information includes identifiers for the UE, the first EP, and the second EP. To maintain data accuracy, the apparatus uses a threshold period defined as an expiration time. The handover prediction information includes an indication of this expiration time. The processing circuitry is further configured to automatically overwrite at least one of the UE identifier, the first EP identifier, or the second EP identifier once the expiration time elapses. This ensures that stale or unnecessary handover data is removed, reducing the risk of incorrect handover decisions or security vulnerabilities. The apparatus may also include a memory for storing the handover prediction information and a communication interface for transmitting or receiving the information between network nodes. The expiration time mechanism helps maintain system efficiency by preventing the accumulation of outdated handover records.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to update the relocation table, based on the indication, to override a routing policy previously configured by a network controller.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the network router is a function within a data plane of a software-defined networking (SDN) system; and wherein the relocation table is an SDN relocation table stored in memory of the SDN system.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the network controller is a function within a control plane of the SDN system.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the network router or the network controller are virtualized network functions (VNFs).
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the network router is a function of a virtualized processing node of a network function virtualization (NFV) system.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the network controller is a function of a virtualized processing node of the NFV system.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to the second EP.
This invention relates to a communication apparatus designed to improve data transmission efficiency in a networked system. The apparatus includes processing circuitry and transceiver circuitry, where the processing circuitry is configured to modify a data packet before transmission. The modification may involve adjusting packet headers, payloads, or other metadata to optimize routing, reduce latency, or enhance security. The transceiver circuitry then transmits the modified data packet to a second endpoint (EP) in the network. The apparatus may also include additional features such as error detection, packet prioritization, or adaptive transmission protocols to further enhance performance. The invention addresses challenges in data transmission, such as packet loss, congestion, or inefficient routing, by dynamically adjusting packet characteristics before sending them to their destination. The system ensures reliable and optimized data delivery across networked environments.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to: configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the data packet to the first EP; and configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to the second EP.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is adapted to configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to a second network router.
A network routing apparatus is designed to improve data transmission efficiency in packet-switched networks. The apparatus includes transceiver circuitry for receiving and transmitting data packets and processing circuitry for modifying packet headers or payloads to optimize routing decisions. The processing circuitry can adjust packet attributes such as priority, quality of service (QoS) markers, or routing paths based on network conditions or predefined policies. This modification ensures that data packets are routed more efficiently, reducing latency and improving throughput. The apparatus is particularly useful in high-traffic networks where dynamic adjustments are necessary to maintain performance. The processing circuitry can also analyze packet content to determine optimal routing strategies, ensuring that critical data is prioritized. The transceiver circuitry is configured to transmit the modified data packet to a second network router, enabling seamless handoff and continued efficient routing. This system enhances overall network reliability and performance by dynamically adapting to changing conditions.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an antenna and a transceiver, the antenna and the transceiver configured to receive the data packet and transmit the modified data packet.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is a baseband processor.
A baseband processor is used in wireless communication systems to process signals at baseband frequencies, handling tasks such as modulation, demodulation, encoding, and decoding. This processor is integrated into a communication apparatus to manage the digital signal processing required for transmitting and receiving data in wireless networks. The baseband processor interfaces with radio frequency (RF) components to convert digital data into analog signals for transmission and vice versa for received signals. It also performs error correction, channel coding, and other signal processing functions to ensure reliable communication. By using a baseband processor, the apparatus can efficiently handle the complex signal processing tasks necessary for modern wireless communication standards, such as 5G or Wi-Fi, while maintaining low power consumption and high performance. This integration allows the apparatus to support high-speed data transmission, improved spectral efficiency, and enhanced connectivity in wireless networks. The baseband processor may also include specialized hardware accelerators to optimize performance for specific tasks, such as fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. This ensures that the apparatus can meet the demanding requirements of contemporary wireless communication protocols.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable hardware storage device that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of a networking device, the instructions to configure the one or more processors to: decode an indication of an upcoming handover of a user equipment (UE) from a first end point (EP) to a second EP, the indication originating at the first EP and including a UE identifier, an identifier of the first EP that is handing off the UE to the second EP, and an identifier of the second EP that is receiving the upcoming handover; update a software-defined networking (SDN) relocation table, based on the indication of the upcoming handover, wherein the SDN relocation table is configured to store the identifier of the first EP that is handing off the UE, and the identifier of the second EP that is receiving the upcoming handover; decode a data packet for the UE, wherein the data packet is configured for transmission to the first EP and includes the UE identifier; modify the decoded data packet, based on the SDN relocation table, for rerouting to the second EP; and configure transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to the second EP.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable hardware storage device of claim 18 , wherein the instructions are to configure the one or more processors to: decode handover prediction information the handover prediction information including an indication of a predicted future geographic location of the UE; and update the SDN relocation table based on the handover prediction information.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable hardware storage device of claim 19 , wherein the handover prediction information further includes one or more indications of a bandwidth parameter, a latency parameter, a transmission power parameter, or a bit-error-rate parameter, associated with the UE.
21. The non-transitory computer-readable hardware storage device of claim 19 , wherein the instructions are to configure the one or more processors to discard at least one of the UE identifier, the identifier of the first EP, or the identifier of the second EP from the SDN relocation table after a threshold period.
22. The non-transitory computer-readable hardware storage device of claim 19 , wherein the instructions are to configure the one or more processors to configure the transceiver circuitry to transmit the modified data packet to one of the second EP or a second router.
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March 30, 2021
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